The Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport command, Hamza Umar has been redeployed. He has resumed as the Kano State commander of the Agency.
He will be replaced at the Airport Command by the former commander from Kano, Ahmadu Garba.
Though Chairman and Chief Executive of NDLEA, Ahamdu Gaide said the deployment is consistent with the Agency’s policy on command appointment and postings, there are speculations that the move may not be unconnected with recent lapses discovered at the Airport operations of the NDLEA.
Reports say, the Chairman was displeased that an Arik Air staff escaped the eyes of the operatives at the airport only to be arrested in Heathrow Airport, UK with drugs. Emerging evidence in the investigation shows that drug trafficking by airline workers is a flourishing route for a long time.
However, Mr. Hamza who took over command at the Airport in 2010, has the record of effecting tremendous drug seizures and high profile arrest within the period. He attributed his success to the support and cooperation he got from the media.
“I remain indebted to our media partners for their wonderful support and cooperation. The coverage of our operational activities is highly commendable. I am optimistic that future collaborative efforts will further help to reduce the menace of narcotic drugs across the world”
The new man in charge, Ahamadu Garba, according to NDLEA spokesman, Mitchell Ofoyeju, is a thorough bred professional who has pledged to build on the achievements of his predecessor.
